”Janie,” Angela tapped on the closed door and entered slowly with an armload of clothing for Jane.
Jane opened her eyes in the darkness and saw a shadow at the foot of the bed. It took her a few minutes to realize where she was and that her mother was puttering with something for her to wear.
”Honey, are you ready to eat something?”
”No, Ma, I’m still not really hungry.”
Jane replaced the headphones back in her ears and continued to listen to the only connection she had left with Maura.
Baby I hang around you a little more than I should. We both know I got somewhere else to go. I’ve got something to tell you that I never thought I would, but I believe you really ought to know…
I love you. I honestly love you.

Jane spent another hour drawing on the music Maura loved and decided to spend a little time with the mom’s. They made several attempts to raise her spirits, engage her in conversation, but it wasn’t going very well.Everything they asked Jane reminded her of Maura.
”Have you started to plan the wedding, ” Constance queried. Jane still couldn’t say Maura’s name outloud. She nodded at the inquiry ”Not really, but probably outdoors at the Planetarium, or the Museum of Fine Arts.Those courtyards are the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and I wouldn’t have even known about them without Maura.”
There, she said it.But it hurt leaving her throat.
”Jane, are you pleased with your rings,” Constance continued her questioning.
”Exquisite, stunning, second only to…your daughter.” Jane fought to keep her throat from tightening, but it didn’t happen without a sharp pain to her heart.
Jane extracted an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter and then excused herself, returning to the guest room.
There was one missed call and she hurriedly called the number back.
”What’s up, Frost?”
Jane listened anxiously as he delivered the report.
”Well, the lab’s back.The only prints in the bedroom and en suite belong to the two of you and there are a few of Angela’s in the other common areas.So we lifted the crime scene status, as far as foul play.”
”But that still doesn’t make it look very good for me, right?”
”Not exactly. Sorry,Jane. We’re not giving up though.”
Jane clicked the call off and just sat there staring at the phone. Where is she, dammit?